The key facts

  • Thomas Byrne believes an EU budget agreement is possible 'before Christmas'
  • EU countries, in his words, have 'moved closer together', despite tensions at the last summit
  • Disagreements persist between 'frugal' countries and supporters of maintaining regional funding

Irish minister sees EU budget agreement possible before Christmas

Ireland's Minister for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne said that EU countries have 'moved closer together' in negotiations on the union's long-term budget. Despite tensions at the last European Council meeting, he believes EU leaders will be able to reach an agreement before Christmas, as originally planned.

Disagreements persist

According to Euronews, contradictions remain between a group of countries — Germany, the Netherlands and the Nordic states — which insist on deeper budget cuts, and a group of southern and eastern European countries, including Spain and the Baltic states, who advocate preserving traditional funding programmes for the EU's poorest regions.